ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC METAL STATUS IN CONTAMINATED INDUSTRIAL SITES AND THEIR BIOREMEDIATION IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2023-02
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Assessment of toxic metal status in contaminated industrial sites and
their bioremediation in Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2021-2022 in the Department of
Environmental Science, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan H.P. The study
aims at determining the status of toxic metals in the soil of industrial sites and isolation of potential fungal
strains to test their bioremediation potential at different concentrations of toxic metals. Seven toxic metals As,
Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were identified from the soil samples of steel, dye and paper industries at three
distances; within the industry, 50 m from the industry and 100 m from the industry in Kala-Amb (Sirmour),
Baddi (Solan) and Una (Una). Four toxic metals Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were found in high concentrations in soil
samples from the industries. Five strains of fungi were successfully isolated from soil samples and identified by
NCMR, Pune as Penicillium commune, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma asperellum, Pencillium camemberti and
Aspergillus niger. Six fungal consortia were obtained namely; Penicillium commune × Aspergillus flavus,
Penicillium camemberti × Penicillium commune, Aspergillus flavus × Penicillium camemberti, Penicillium
camemberti × Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma asperellum × Penicillium camemberti and Aspergillus flavus ×
Aspergillus niger. The bioremediation potential of identified fungi and consortia was tested in-vitro at 0ppm,
10ppm, 20ppm, 30 ppm and 40 ppm concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by studying parameters viz. radial
growth rate, per cent growth inhibition, tolerance index, mycelium dry weight and biosorption of toxic metals by
fungi. The maximum mean radial growth rate of 0.692 mmh-1 was exhibited by T. Asperellum for Cu; for Ni and
Pb (0.692 mmh-1) by T. asperellum and P. camemberti; and for Zn (0.695 mmh-1) by T. asperellum. Maximum
biosorption of 144 mgg-1 and 142 mgg-1 was exhibited by T. Asperellum for Cu and Zn, 148 mgg-1 and 135 mgg-
1 by P. Camemberti for Ni and Pb respectively. The maximum removal efficiency was exhibited by T.
asperellum, for Cu (16.7 %) Ni (17.3 %), Pb (17.0 %) and Zn (19.4 %). Maximum biosorption of Cu (135 mgg-
1), Ni (147 mgg-1), Pb (151 mgg-1) and Zn (150 mgg-1) was exhibited by consortia Trichoderma asperellum ×
Penicillium camemberti. The consortia Trichoderma asperellum × Penicillium camemberti showed maximum
removal efficiency for Cu (19.4 %), Ni (15.9 %), Pb (17.3 %) and Zn (15.9 %). Fungi T. Asperellum, P.
Camemberti and consortia Trichoderma asperellum × Penicillium camemberti exhibited high radial growth
rates, minimum per cent growth inhibition, high tolerance index and high biosorption capacity at all
concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. From this study, it can be concluded that fungi T. asperellum, P.
camemberti and consortia Trichoderma asperellum × Penicillium camemberti have high remediation potential
for Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The present study also widens the scope for studying the bioremediation potential of
fungal consortia for toxic metals in the futur